Taxi App Offers Female Riders Women-Only Drivers

Thanks to new service called 'SheRides' driving around town is a woman's world

Ever wondered where all the female taxi drivers were at? Well now there’s app to help you find them.

For women who desire to be driven around town by other women, a new service now allows them to travel on their own terms. Set to be released in New York City on Sept. 16, SheTaxis, also known as SheRides, will exclusively offer female drivers, according to The New York Times.

The purpose of the app service is to aid women who may feel uncomfortable being driven by men or who may simply have a preference to be transported by another woman. On the app, potential riders will be asked if there is a woman in their party. If not, they will be automatically redirected to other car services. It will be available through Apple's app store and will eventually be made available on Androids as well.

The women’s livery service was started by Stella Mateo, whose husband is the founder of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, which is an industry group representing 30,000 taxi and livery drivers. Mateo says she came up with the business idea as a way to not only meet a need for riders, but also a way help women join an industry that is overwhelmingly dominated by men.

Out of New York City’s 59,999 drivers only 2,952 of them (5 percent) are women, according to city data. Even fewer women drive yellow cabs; 574 out of 51,874 drivers, or 1 percent.

SheTaxis will partner with existing livery companies to provide the rides at competitive rates, Ms. Mateo said. SheTaxis, which has a staff of six, has already recruited 50 female drivers, ranging in age from 21 to 70. The service will collect fares through its app, using credit or debit cards, and then send payments to the drivers.

Mateo said she wants to eventually expand the livery service to Washington, Miami, Chicago and other cities during the next year. Similar women’s driving services exist in other countries, including India, the Times reports. Female drivers have been well received by livery companies, with some owners admitting that women tend to be their best employees.

While it’s yet to be seen how successful such an app will be, it’s likely to be a hit among women.

What do you think Centric ladies? Would you prefer a female driver over a male driver?